Snook, Trout and Redfish continued to be my main targets this week.
I have been catching my Snook on the south shore of Tampa Bay from Miguel Bay to Piney Point. I am targeting mangrove islands and points on higher tides using live greenbacks and shrimp rigged on a 1/0 circle hook and 25lb. fluorocarbon leader. The fish have been averaging 22 to 25 inches with the largest fish of the week topping out at 29 inches.
Redfish have also continued to be consistent this past week. Although, I am not finding the large schools of fish yet, I am finding consistent groups of 5 to 10 fish. I am moving around a lot, working areas that have shell or oyster bottom and good current flow. Live or freshly dead shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook and a small split-shot is my rig of choice when targeting redfish. If you are an artificial enthusiast, the Mirrolure Mirrodine, or a GULP Shrimp on a 1/8th ounce jighead are great options.
Lastly, Trout are still producing and can definitely turn a slow day into a great trip. Most of the fish I have been catching are in the 12 to 15 inch range, but the largest fish of the week was just under 26 inches. DOA golden bream shadtails rigged on a 1/8th ounce chartreuse jighead, or the Mirrolure Mirrodine are great choices when targeting Trout with artificial baits. When using live bait, a live large shrimp suspended 18 to 24 inches below a popping cork will almost always produce consistent catches.